Sherline 8440 17" CNC Benchtop Lathe System (LinuxCNC) vs Taig Micro Lathe II M1015-5C
Technical comparison · Turning (lathe)
The point is control: the Sherline ships with a Linux computer and LinuxCNC preinstalled for 4-axis control, while the Taig is a fully manual lathe with no CNC control at all. It costs about €2,000 more, and that is the price of running parts from a program.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~2800–3300 € | ~1000–1150 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 28.6 × 91.4 × 20.3 cm | 39.37 × 46.99 × – cm |
| Weight (kg) | 31.4 kg | — |
| Work area (mm) | 430 × 110 mm | — |
| Z-axis height (mm) | — | 203.2 mm |
| Voltage (V) | 240 V | — |
| Maximum speed | 2800 rpm | 4000 rpm |
| Declared precision | 0.0127 mm | 0.0127 mm |
| Category specs | ||
| Swing over bed (mm) | 90 mm | 114.3 mm |
| Distance between centers (mm) | 430 mm | 222.25 mm |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The system ships with an Ubuntu Linux computer and LinuxCNC preinstalled for 4-axis control, with the driver board and power supply already fitted. The tailstock spindle remains manually controlled. Utilities to convert CAD files or TrueType fonts into G-code are included. | The lathe is entirely manual: no CNC control or software interface of any kind is included. The bundled motor (1750 RPM nominal) drives the four-step 2L belt transmission; any additional speed regulation relies on an external inverter chosen by the user. |
The differences that matter
- 4-axis CNC with LinuxCNC vs fully manual lathe → on the Sherline parts repeat from a program, on the Taig every pass is by hand.
- Distance between centers 430 vs 222 mm → long shafts fit only on the Sherline.
- Swing 90 vs 114.3 mm → wider parts fit on the Taig.
- About €3,050 vs €1,075 → the Sherline costs about €2,000 more.
Which one to choose
Choose 8440 17" CNC Benchtop Lathe System (LinuxCNC) if…
you want to repeat parts from a program: the included utilities convert CAD files or TrueType fonts into G-code, and only the tailstock stays manual. There are 430 mm between centers, almost twice the other lathe, so longer shafts fit. The trade-off: about €2,000 more, 91 cm of bench length and a swing of 90 mm.
Choose Micro Lathe II M1015-5C if…
you turn one-off parts or small batches by hand and 222 mm between centers is enough. It costs about €2,000 less, takes work up to 114.3 mm swing and needs 47 cm of bench. You give up CNC control and any software interface; beyond the four steps of the belt, speed regulation needs an external inverter of your choice.
Where to buy
MakerSpecs is an independent atlas. We don't sell products: the purchase links are the same as on the two product sheets and don't influence the verdict. The sheets have the complete data.